Today presents a good opportunity for assessing the status of women in Kenya.  However, in the opinion of Hon. Esther Murugi Mathenge, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social, women still have ground to cover and their work is far from over.

“In some areas we are doing well, but we still have a long way to go to achieve equality, peace and development between the women and men of Kenya,” says the minister. “Working in the Ministry of Gender means that I am entirely responsible for Kenya’s 34 million plus population in all its diversity, with all its possibilities and challenges.”

Most men would shudder at the very idea of being a home-maker. Cooking, cleaning up the house and looking after the children are necessary chores but they are also mundane, repetitive and routine. If the woman of the house is deceased, her replacement is sought soon enough to ensure that a man’s home is in order.

This has not been the case for 53 year-old Daniel Odhiambo Okinda who lost his wife to HIV in 2004 and has since been the sole family provider and care-giver to his six children.

This is his story as told to Susan Mwangi:

This year’s International Women’s Day (IWD): “Men and Women; united to end violence against women and girls”, highlights the value of involving men in the struggle to achieve lasting gender equality. Women across the developing world have for decades spearheaded the campaign on the rights of women, and worked to empower other women to know their rights and take control of their lives.

Ann Muthoni, 38 ponders her next move at Kiandere Village in Nyeri Municipality.  She has lived here since fleeing her home in Rumuruti, Laikipia West following the post election violence early last year.  She is also HIV positive and depressed.

As fate would have it, she has struggled with HIV/AIDS virus for 10 years but the displacement is like the straw that broke the camel’s back and she is considering throwing in the towel altogether and turn her back on the struggle.